Software Automation Test Engineer

Hunter Industries; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Hunter Industries is seeking a Software Automation Test Engineer to ensure the reliability and performance of smart irrigation controller systems. You will design and maintain automated test frameworks, test scripts and UI tools, collaborating with product owners and engineers to achieve full test coverage.

This role requires a Bachelor's in CS/Software Engineering and at least two years in firmware testing, with Python and PyTest expertise, and hands-on experience with real-time systems and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering or related field.
• Minimum two years of professional experience in firmware engineering and development.
• Experience testing real-time firmware-based products.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and maintains automated test frameworks, test scripts and user interface tools to automate testing of irrigation controller products.
• Creates and executes test plans, test cases, and scripts for functional, regression, integration, and performance testing.
• Collaborates with product owners and engineers to ensure product requirements are defined sufficiently to support full test coverage.
• Identifies, documents, and tracks defects using issue management tools (e.g., Helix), ensuring timely resolution.
• Analyzes test results, reports key quality metrics, and proactively recommends improvements to prevent recurring defects.
• Works with firmware engineers to verify device interactions, telemetry accuracy, and state synchronization.
• Prepares gate deliverable test reports and release packages in support of our phase-gate development process.
• Contributes to documentation of QA standards, automation guidelines, and test data management practices.
• Continuously improves usability of automation test software to facilitate general use.

Skills

Python

C++

Java

Test automation

PyTest

Firmware testing

Version control

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering or related field

Tools

Git

Helix

Automation frameworks

PyTest

Job description

Hunter Industries is seeking a Software Automation Test Engineer who ensures the reliability, functionality and performance of smart irrigation controller systems. As part of the Quality Assurance (QA) team, this role develops and maintains automated test frameworks, test scripts and user interfaces, and collaborates across teams to validate that every release meets high standards for quality, usability, and stability. By combining technical rigor with a focus on user experience, the QA Automation Testing Engineer helps deliver seamless, dependable products.

Essential Functions

• Designs, develops, and maintains automated test frameworks, test scripts and user interface tools to automate testing of irrigation controller products.
• Creates and executes test plans, test cases, and scripts for functional, regression, integration, and performance testing.
• Collaborates with product owners and engineers to ensure product requirements are defined sufficiently to support full test coverage.
• Identifies, documents, and tracks defects using issue management tools (e.g., Helix), ensuring timely resolution.
• Analyzes test results, reports key quality metrics, and proactively recommends improvements to prevent recurring defects.
• Works with firmware engineers to verify device interactions, telemetry accuracy, and state synchronization.
• Prepares gate deliverable test reports and release packages in support of our phase-gate development process.
• Contributes to documentation of QA standards, automation guidelines, and test data management practices.
• Continuously improves usability of automation test software to facilitate general use.
• Supports testing efforts across multiple cross-functional teams and release cycles.

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering or a related field or a combination of education and relevant work experience.

Experience Required

• Minimum two years of professional experience in firmware engineering and development.
• Experience testing real-time firmware-based products.

What You Bring

• Firmware or software development for real-time object-oriented systems.
• Programming in Python or other object-oriented language such as C++ or Java.
• Advanced knowledge of coding techniques and documentation standards to generate well‐documented, modular, maintainable code.
• Experience scripting in Python for test automation.
• Proficiency with automated testing frameworks such as PyTest.
• Working knowledge of version control systems and best practices.
• Ability to analyze complex systems, isolate issues, and communicate clearly with cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to testing and documentation.
• Commitment to quality, usability, and continuous process improvement.

What We Offer

• Amazing corporate culture - we walk the walk when it comes to our values!
• Beautiful 20 acre park like campus with creek and walking trails
• On site wellness center with personal training, fitness classes and massage
• FUN company events!
• Company donation matching and volunteer rewards
• Career development opportunities and profit sharing bonus

Follow us on LinkedIn, check out our rave reviews on Glassdoor, and learn more about our company culture on our career site: http://corporate.hunterindustries.com/careers

Hunter is a global leader in the irrigation, outdoor lighting, dispensing technology, and custom manufacturing industries. Driving our continued success is the combined energy and talents of the nearly 4,000 people on our team. Together, we create a diverse array of products that can be seen all over the world, from residential landscapes to national landmarks, stadiums, parks, hotels, and municipal buildings.

Hunter Industries and its Family of Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, military and veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic.

The annual salary for this opportunity ranges from $90,000 - $105,000.

The Company complies with all federal/local/state regulations in regard to pay. The above represents the expected hourly range for this job requisition. Compensation offered to the successful candidate will be determined by qualifications, prior experience, other job‑related factors, and geographic location.